It has been seven years since I have blogged with you, my sisters. I had no idea it had been so long. In part, I think it's "ok". No need to judge myself about my absence, but rather perhaps congratulate myself that I have been simply living life. Well, you all know there is nothing simple about our lives with HIV/AIDS. First and foremost, I would like to re-introduce myself. Originally, I blogged under the profile name "Lynn2011". I updated my profile to reflect my real name. My name is Kristi. It is amazing to see all of you again and to meet the women who have joined in my absence. I have...
Kristi2020's blog
I would like to tell you all what I did today. A couple of months ago I was asked if I would be interested in being interviewed and photographed as a woman living with HIV. I thought it through and decided that I would do it as an important step in my acceptance of this disease and my moving forward in shattering the stigma that surrounds me and others living with HIV. This summer marks 5 years since the acute stage of my infection. I needed to do something that would get me unstuck, and opened up to receiving more support, more acceptance, and to being a role model for others, as well as to...
I have been missing you women! I have been absent, but not gone. I get excited each time my email tells me one of my sisters has written a new blog. I’m sorry I haven’t been sharing my voice. Updates: My health remains good. My mental health is a challenge. I started treatment for my eating disorder. Given the fact that I have been in and out of therapy for over 20 years, and am in the mental health profession myself, I am surprised how difficult this treatment has been. I have never worked harder in therapy. But I’m proud of myself for facing a demon. And truly everything is related. Learning...
I can’t believe it has been 3 months since I posted. When I first became involved with the AGLM blog I was so nervous, yet so excited to have an outlet for my HIV “junk.” The good part is that after I wrote my first 2 posts I felt a great deal of relief. I guess that sustained my heart for a while, that and reading the posts and comments from other women. Then I started feeling guilty that I hadn’t written in so long. I have been wrestling with what to write because often when I think of my HIV everything is negative. I don’t want every post of mine to be sad, negative, or ugly. So I haven’t...
My head is spinning. I am typing as fast as I can. I fear if my fingers stop moving, I may chicken out. But I know this is right. Whenever opportunities have presented themselves to me that will be good for me I have felt a similar pull, a universal, gravitational tug, which I can’t escape. My decision to write this blog is one of those opportunities. I am terrified. What if someone finds out my status that I am not ready to tell? What if I can’t think of anything to write? What if it is too overwhelming for me? What if? What if? What if? My heart is still racing. I remind myself to breathe...
My name is Lynn, I am 41 years old and I live in Minnesota. I have one young son who is the light of my life. I hold a Master’s degree in the mental health field and work two jobs. I have been HIV positive for 2 years. Breathe. I learned of my HIV status on October 6, 2008, just a few weeks after I learned that I was finally pregnant with my beloved child. Breathe. I will never forget that day. It was a Tuesday. I was at the same desk from where I am writing this personal introduction. My doctor called me and asked if I could come to her office that day. I realized immediately it would not be...